scholarly journals Facilitating writing seminars

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsne Ø. Høgetveit

How can the University Library better accommodate for students and faculty who need practical help with getting their writing done and develop their work habits? For many involved in academia, students and staff alike, the crucial task of writing is also one of the most challenging. People struggle to get past the first sentence, because it is not quite perfect yet; it is difficult to find the time; they do not feel inspired to write right now, etc. A possible help for some is to participate in writing seminars. Such seminars can take on various forms, depending on the needs of the participants and the circumstances around them. Writing seminars provide a supporting framework by making writing a more collective act. Participants find that they are both held accountable and inspired by their peers in the seminar. Considering how simple and easy it can be to set up and arrange such seminars it is no wonder university libraries, writing centres etc. do this. But can we go beyond simply setting a time, booking a room, and posting a note about it? Based on my experience as a writing seminar participant and now University Library staff and seminar organiser I want to develop the way we facilitate writing seminars. Organising our own seminars limit the participants to a set time and location of our choosing, and have limited outreach. In addition, hosting a two hours seminar, say, weekly, may not be the best use of staff working hours. Instead, I would like to develop a writing seminar service where the library helps people who want to set up their own writing groups. This way we can reach more people and help establish customised writing seminars.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
M. Sunandamma ◽  
P. Sarasvathy

The article examines the status of resources and service in selected women university libraries in south India. The study incorporates different viewpoints like objectives of the Women University Library, status of print and E-resource collections, library membership, staff in the university library, working hours of the libraries, services offered by the university library, E- resources subscription, ICT infrastructure facility in the library and also automation status of the selected women university library.


2011 ◽  
Vol 271-273 ◽  
pp. 1381-1385
Author(s):  
Chen Zhao

The analysis of present situation of university libraries in China shows that the literature resources and the readers are all diversified. The urge demand for the libraries includes fast and efficient services and group work. The university libraries are characterized as knowledge carriers, information servers and literature collectors. The libraries should be reformed to provide diversified resources, precise services and easy acquisition of literatures. The reform of university libraries should follow the way from library planning, resources construction to literature sharing. The construction of library houses, literature resources and librarian teams is analyzed. The reform will force the libraries to be specialized in providing literature services. The libraries will continue to function as a typical cultural area in university campus.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-113
Author(s):  
Miracle Eka Njeze ◽  
Iwu Juliana James

The librarians are often encouraged to maintain and keep their collections accessible through digitization as their stock in trade is their collection. This study examined capacity building initiatives in preservation techniques in selected libraries and assessed the level of training received by different library staff. Four university libraries were randomly selected and a descriptive survey method using a self-developed questionnaire. The respondents comprised librarians and non-librarians. A total of one hundred and twenty copies of questionnaires were distributed, but a hundred and twelve was retrieved and used for the analysis. The study revealed that there were no professionals to manage the preservation section of the university library and as such, most institutions make do with Para-professionals like binders, technicians and library officers etc. Analysis from the respondent’s show that Universities in Nigeria are not exposed to capacity building in preservation. Finally, regular trainings are vital for the development of all staff and for any university to stand out amongst others; there must be provision for usual capacity building of both faculty and staff.


Author(s):  
Milena Polsinelli Rubi ◽  
Mariângela Spotti Lopes Fabiana Araujo Fujita

A política de indexação deve fundamentar-se em uma filosofia que reflita os objetivos do sistema. Um dos aspectos concernentes à política de indexação diz respeito à conversão retrospectiva de dados para formação de catálogos coletivos. Nosso objetivo é identificar e analisar os elementos para o estabelecimento de uma política de indexação que seja norteadora dos procedimentos de indexação realizados em bibliotecas universitárias a partir da visão sociocognitiva dos bibliotecários diretores, catalogadores, de referências, docentes e discentes. Como metodologia, utilizamos questionário de diagnóstico organizacional e a técnica de coleta de dados introspectiva e qualitativa denominada Protocolo Verbal. Os resultados demonstraram que a política de indexação deve servir como subsídio para a organização do conhecimento no catálogo, atuando como guia para o bibliotecário no momento da determinação dos assuntos dos documentos descritos nos registros. Concluímos que a indexação só será realizada na biblioteca universitária durante o tratamento da informação documentária por meio de decisão política bem determinada.AbstractThe indexing policy must be represented by means of a philosophy that reflects the system's aims. One of the aspects concerning the indexing policy is relating to the data retrospective conversion. The general aim is to discuss and make a profound study on indexing policy guidelines and to analyze the elements to set up an indexing policy, that should direct the indexing procedures carried out in university libraries using the methodology of verbal protocol. The results demonstrate that the indexing policy serves as a support for the knowledge organization in the catalog, acting as a guide for the librarian when determining the subjects of the documents described in the records. It is concluded that the indexing only will be carried out in the university library during the documentary information treatment by means of a well determined policy. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-81
Author(s):  
Venkatesha . ◽  
P. Sarasvathy

The present study deals with an opinion of university library staff on library automation in selected university libraries in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The study reveals that, staff education and qualification for library automation process and modules handling the library automation process is dealt. Explains the library staff’s training they have undergone in handling library automation software and to know that necessary training requirement for handling the modules in library automation software as well as improving the overall performance of library computerised services. The study further explains housekeeping activities for create a library database in the university library automation process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Shamima Yesmin .

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the websites of university libraries to ascertain that libraries are effectively utilizing their respective websites to provide easy access to all electronic resources available in the library. The objective was also to a represent a comparative analysis between public and private university library websites regarding the presence of electronic resources with their easy access via the internet. For the purpose of this study, a research instrument in the form of comprehensive checklist of eighteen e-resources was developed to evaluate their accessibility in the websites of public and private university libraries. Twenty university library websites, comprised of ten top-ranked public and ten top-ranked private universities in Bangladesh, were studied for data collection using content analysis method. The findings demonstrate that the presence of e-resources on selected university library websites is still in its early stage, but it has been growing rapidly. The private university library websites are ahead of public university libraries in terms of the integration of web-resources. It is hoped that the findings of this paper will serve to assist the University librarians and other similar institutions in choosing, selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of information resources, and making these available to their websites, which will both satisfy the needs of their library users and fit within their library budget.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Abdurrakhman Prasetyadi ◽  
Danang Dwijo Kangko ◽  
D.W. Ari Nugroho

<p>This study aims to: (1) create category of knowledge communities in university library, (2) designing the prototype of an online encyclopedia of knowledge communities in the university library, and (3) testing a prototype of an online encyclopedia of knowledge communities. The method used is the analysis of web content of the communities website at IPB and development protoype using the MediaWiki software. The first results of this study are categories of knowledge created consisting of the main knowledge about the student association, student activity units, other communities, the terms of the campus and the surrounding of the campus. Second, in designing a prototype of Wiki Kampus make a data flow diagrams, system infrastructure, and installation. Furthermore, installation of MediaWiki including by several stages: (1) downloading and extracting the file master MediaWiki on a web server, (2) set-up the master files MediaWiki, (3) determine the format page categorizing and customize the user interface, and (4) set up a user account for students. Third, Wiki Kampus tested by some students of Master of Information Technology for Libraries (MTP) at IPB and the results is function well.</p><p>Kajian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) membuat kategori pengetahuan komunitas di perpusatakaan PT, (2) merancang prototipe ensiklopedia daring pengetahuan komunitas di perpustakaan PT, dan (3) melakukan ujicoba prototipe ensiklopedia daring pengetahuan komunitas. Metode yang digunakan yaitu analisis konten web komunitas di IPB dan pengembangan prototipe Wiki Kampus menggunakan perangkat lunak MediaWiki. Hasil dari kajian ini yaitu kategori pengetahuan yang dibuat terdiri dari pengetahuan utama yakni seputar himpunan mahasiswa, unit kegiatan mahasiswa, komunitas lain, istilah-istilah kampus dan lingkungan sekitar kampus. Hasil perancangan prototipe Wiki Kampus terdiri dari pembuatan <em>data flow diagram</em>, perencanaan infrastruktur sistem dan penginstalasian perangkat lunak MediaWiki. Penginstalasian MediaWiki melalui beberapa tahapan di antaranya: (1) mengunduh dan mengekstraksi file master MediaWiki pada server web, (2) melakukan <em>set-up</em> file master MediaWiki, (3) menentukan format <em>page categorizing</em> dan mengkustomisasi tampilan pengguna, serta (4) menyiapkan <em>user account</em> untuk mahasiswa. Ketiga, ujicoba Wiki Kampus dilakukan oleh beberapa mahasiswa program Magister Teknologi Informasi untuk Perpustakaan (MTP) IPB berjalan lancar dan berfungsi dengan baik.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Wambui Kamau ◽  
Aggrey Luyiya Elegwa

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the collection development process at the University of Nairobi library and suggest ways for improvement.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was employed to collect, analyze and interpret data from collection development librarians at the University of Nairobi purposively selected. Data were collected through structured interviews and documentary review. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics.FindingsThe study established that the library has a written collection development policy which was revised in 2014 and is strictly adhered to. However, the policy has a gap on the role of faculty as stakeholders in the selection process. In addition, the criteria for selection are not explicitly stated. Findings also indicate that budget allocation, collection development policy, user demands, quality of staff, library consortium and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015 influence the collection development process at the University of Nairobi Library.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted in one public university library in Kenya. However, the findings may be applicable in similar university libraries in the country.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study may benefit students and faculty in the University of Nairobi from improved collection development process that would ensure that their information needs are met in a timely manner. This would lead to improved research output by students and faculty and ultimately improved research output by the university. University library management may also benefit in improving the collection development process, thereby making it more economical. The findings may also be useful in decision-making and policy development on matters pertaining to collection development at the University of Nairobi and other universities. Furthermore, the findings may be used by researchers to provide context and background information for future research on collection development in public universities locally and regionally.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills the need to make the collection development process in university libraries more efficient by proposing ways of addressing the challenges experienced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-375
Author(s):  
Serdar Temiz ◽  
Lakshmi Pradip Salelkar

Purpose While universities are using more digital tools such as learning management systems (canvas, blackboard, etc). or massive open online courses (MOOCS) such as MIT, OpenCourseWare, edX, Coursera, digitalization has also influenced university libraries. Digital services of academic libraries need exploration on how they provide digital services and how they respond to COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore and map digital services of academic libraries and their response to COVID-19 in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research approach is used in this study. Through a Web search, data was gathered from all 39 universities in Sweden through two means: visiting university and their respective library websites; examination of other documents provided by the university such as press releases, announcements. Evaluation of the content and digital services and libraries response to COVID-19 is conducted by thematic coding. Findings In response to the ongoing COVID-19 spread, a general trend seen among all is limited working hours, shutting down physical libraries for general public, unmanning operations. All 39 number of universities in Sweden have moved their offerings toward using online tools. The main themes that have been identified from our study are as follows: Availability of Information, Accessibility of resources, Collaboration with other actors, Increased use of existing services, motivation and support to practice social distancing. Research limitations/implications Owing to the limitations of COVID-19 conditions, time and other aspects, there was not any opportunity to visit the university libraries or book time to interview librarians or students, which led to limited level and imperfect research. There are many other activities that university libraries are offering to their employees and using their internal newsletters and email groups to reach their audience; as a result, some of digital services that are offered during COVID-19 might have not been noticed. Practical implications These findings can provide base to other universities on how to react to COVID-19 and bring more discussion. Social implications COVID-19 has big social impact on people. The findings present that libraries can go beyond their responsibilities and provide emotional and psychological support the community towards social distancing such as videos, social online meetings, live video workshops. Originality/value The findings from this study call for a review digital services of academic libraries and their response to COVID-19 in Sweden, so that best reactions and services could be understood.


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